Following last week’s open letter to the government about play and the coronavirus, and the subsequent closure of playgrounds as part of the latest measures, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has responded, saying:

‘(we) recognise and appreciate the importance of play to children’s physical and cognitive development, but given our present circumstances, Government’s response right now must focus on preventing the spread of Covid-19; protecting the most vulnerable in society and offering support to those impacted by social-distancing, including companies and employees’.

The emailed response also asks the play sector to share any relevant information with the ministry on the impacts of the virus, and the authors of the letter have welcomed this invitation to engage.